HOW TO PLANT A VERTICAL GARDEN


Gardening has been proven to help with depression, anxiety and is a great coping mechanism when encountering tough times and overwhelming emotions.


April is Stress Awareness Month and although we all handle stress differently, we need tools and guidance to help us get through tough situations. Millions of people all around the world struggle with stress on a daily basis and that can have a negative impact on your overall health and the people around you. Take time and switch off from negativity and learn how to build a walled garden in your house.

Don’t let limited space prevent you from having a garden – you can transform outside walls into flourishing, arty green zones. Here’s what to do.

A vertical garden maximises space and can be made with minimal fuss.



GREEN UP AND GET GARDENING
Aside from having a display of beautiful flowers, or lush herbs and vegetables to eat, there are other advantages to having a wall garden:
  • Elevating plants improves air circulation, giving you healthier plants and reducing problems created by pests and disease. (It’s also a great way to minimise any damage your dogs and cats may cause.)
  • Plants are great for absorbing sound and reducing noise levels – so you can say goodbye to loud neighbours.
  • Vertical structures such as arches add ambience to outdoor spaces and create a focal point.
  • Unwelcome views can be disguised using vertical structures.

Related article: make a square foot garden

Related article: How to plant a vegetable garden



CREATE YOUR OWN
There are many different ways to create a wall garden, some of which are illustrated here. The method you choose will depend on what the wall is made of. First of all, collect 2L plastic cooldrink bottles; then cut off the top section of the bottles (see left) or cut out rectangular pieces (see below) to make containers. Add holes at the bottom for drainage.

Use three strong nails to attach each bottle to your chosen wooden structure (a fence or wooden slats). Add soil and plant your seedlings. If you place the bottles one beneath the other, you can water the top row and every second row under that, as the water will drip through to the bottles below.



HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR VERTICAL GARDEN
Taking care of your wall garden is not that much different from maintaining a garden that’s on the ground. You still need to do the basics.

Watering
The same rules for watering apply. The quantity of water will depend on the type of plants you’re growing. Don’t assume that more water will make your plants grow faster, excessive watering can actually be more harmful so try not to over-water your plants. When you water, you should start from top to bottom, so that the water trickles down to every layer.

Fertilising
Fertilising is a fundamental part of any garden maintenance. Vertical gardens have less soil than those on the ground, which means the soil is quickly taken up with roots, which absorb all the nutrients. It’s recommended that you replace and fertilise the soil regularly.

Pruning
Pruning and pinching is about a lot more than shaping plants. Regular pruning helps maintain healthy plants, controls their size while keeping them looking their best. This also helps with pest infestations and promoting leaf generations.

SOME EASY-TO-GROW, AFFORDABLE PLANTS FOR VERTICAL GARDENS:
Mint*, tomatoes, watercress*, parsley, chillies, lettuce, geraniums*, marigolds, pansies, lobelias, sweet peas, vygies*, succulents*

*These plants won’t cost you a cent because they grow easily from cuttings – just snip off a piece, put it in water until it has roots and then plant it.

Related article: Build your own garden in 10 easy steps

Related article: How to make use of a small or no garden


HOW TO PLANT A VERTICAL GARDEN HOW TO PLANT A VERTICAL GARDEN  Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar on April 09, 2021 Rating: 5
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